Print edition for November 29, 2001

Columnist Joe Delaney: All bets are off with incredible 'Cheval' production: Joe Delaney; This columnist has been contributing to improve the breed of the bookmaker for 69 of my 79 years ... My present status is involuntarily retired horse player ... I do get to make a bet or two on the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont, plus Breeders Cup each year ... One of the extra pleasures of seeing "Cheval" at Harmon and the Strip: No betting windows.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Jones was the last of a dying breed: Ruthe Deskin; At no time in Nevada's history was its cast of characters as fascinating. Older residents will recall such names as Sen. Pat McCarran, Gov. Charles Russell, Gov. Vail Pittman, Eva Adams, Wallie Warren, Norman Biltz, Ed Converse, Sen. Alan Bible, Bill Moore, C.D. Baker, Marion Hicks, Sen. E.L. Cord and many others whose names most likely would bring contradictory emotions, depending on whose side one favored.

Goal of high-tech schools is near: CARSON CITY -- A 1997 goal of having a networked computer in every public school classroom in Nevada is nearly complete, a state official said Wednesday.

Editorial: Finding the courage to end a relationship: Opposing the construction of a nuclear waste dump isn't only about protecting the health and safety of local residents. If a dump is built just 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, it also would pose an economic nightmare for the Las Vegas Valley, potentially scaring away tourists and business investment.

Community briefs for November 29, 2001: The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers hikes and walks free of charge, but reservations are required for all programs, which begin at the Visitor's Center. To make reservations or for information call 363-1922.

Editorial: Appalling giveaway to an industry: Nuclear power plant operators say that the government-backed guarantee is necessary if the moribund industry is to have a revival, but this is a government subsidy of the worst kind. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., who opposed the legislation, aptly described it as "highway robbery." The nuclear power industry has been in financial trouble for years because it's a polluting, high-cost source of energy. For thousands of years the waste that nuclear power leaves behind will be deadly, and it is 77,000 tons of this waste that the nuclear power industry wants to permanently bury in Nevada. A case could be ...

Study: Let free market handle nuclear waste: A Nevada think tank is urging a free market solution to dispose of the nation's nuclear waste.

Cadets complete field training at Indian Springs: Dick Benoit; Army ROTC cadets from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Community College of Southern Nevada recently completed their semi-annual field training at Nellis Air Force Base's Silver Flag Alpha training site near Indian Springs.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Learning from errors: Nevada's Rep. Jim Gibbons will be on one of the committees holding the hearings next year. Allow me to suggest some people the investigators should spend more than a little time with during the congressional hearings. Jean Charles Brisard, a security expert with many years spent reviewing Osama bin Laden's financial empire, is one of the people who visited with John P. O'Neill just two months prior to his death at the World Trade Center. O'Neill had been director of antiterrorism for the FBI's New York office before resigning in August and becoming security chief at the twin towers.

PurchasePro auditors resign, annual meeting delayed: An individual investor from Texas, together with other investors, has submitted the proposal to the Las Vegas-based company, the Wall Street Journal reported. If it is accepted by the company, PurchasePro investors would vote on the proposal at the company's annual meeting.

Family portraits: Acclaimed Las Vegas painter calls on personal history for exhibit: Such a scene, reflected in Hyman's painting "Massa Can't Hear Us Praising the Good Lord," is based on oral history passed down among his relatives, then collected by Hyman, who took interest in his family's heritage after finding hundreds of photographs that chronicled his relatives' lives after they had moved from slavery in Virginia to prosperity in rural Texas.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Factory orders soar: The rebound in durable goods -- items expected to last at least three years -- came after new orders dropped by 9.2 percent in September.

Court decision to determine future LV tournaments: Victoria Sun; Based on the turnout for last week's Las Vegas Invitational NCAA men's basketball tournament and the potential for greater success, promoter Chris Spencer of World Wide Basketball would like to hold tournaments here annually.

Las Vegas technology promoters broaden scope: A nonprofit organization committed to increasing the number of Internet-based companies in Las Vegas has broadened its scope and has changed its name to reflect its new mission.

German gets light penalty: A German citizen who was arrested in Pittsburgh on charges of deceiving authorities about his intentions of coming to Las Vegas to attend flight school, has been given a light penalty.

Rebel review: Huskies rallied in 2nd half, cruised to victory: Steve Guiremand; SEATTLE -- Here is a review of UNLV's 77-64 loss to Washington on Wednesday night:

Nevada ranks fourth in people of multiple races: By Timothy Pratt; Nevada ranks fourth in the nation regarding the number of residents who consider themselves as belonging to two or more races, according to a new U.S. Census report being released today.

German receives light penalty: A German citizen who was arrested in Pittsburgh on charges of deceiving authorities about his intentions of coming to Las Vegas to attend flight school, has been given a light penalty.

Reid to speak on economic stimulus: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Saturday is expected to speak to the nation about the ever-changing economic-stimulus legislation that congressional negotiators are crafting.

Pet shop owner gets 15 years in meth case: Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Ko said U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson on Wednesday sentenced Carlos Bertolo to 188 months in prison.

Former state Blind Services employee is placed on three years' probation: Kirby Fisher, who pleaded guilty to charges in the case, will have to spend 30 days on house arrest starting Saturday.

Company shifting donation strategy: Employees of the Las Vegas casino giant, who donated $1.9 million to the United Way during this year's campaign, will still be able to select the United Way as a beneficiary of payroll deductions. But they will have other choices as well next year, MGM MIRAGE spokesman Alan Feldman said.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Series seeks new sponsor after Federal-Mogul pulls out: NHRA president Tom Compton reiterated his support for the national and divisional sportsman drag racing series after Federal-Mogul announced this week that it was pulling out as the series' title sponsor.

Man arrested on charge of using fake passport: Jace Radke; The FBI would not say whether agents are investigating a man who was arrested after allegedly trying to pass through U.S. Customs at McCarran International Airport with a fake passport.

$70 million hospital project planned for southwest valley: By Emily Richmond; The new Spring Valley Hospital would be located at the corner of Rainbow Boulevard and Hacienda Avenue, near the Spanish Trail Country Club. In addition to the four-story, 280,000-square-foot hospital, there would be a three-story medical office building.

Traffic count improves: Some 2.8 million people arrived at and departed from McCarran in October, compared with 3.3 million a year earlier. In September, passenger counts were down 28.3 percent from the previous year to 2.1 million people.

Fight schedule: Today

Woman killed in downtown hotel: Keith Paul; A woman was gunned down Wednesday afternoon as she sat at a bar in a downtown hotel.

Flaws noted in broadcast alert system: In case of an actual emergency, as the announcement goes, this test of the emergency broadcast system in Southern Nevada could use help.

Miscues lead to UNLV loss: Steve Addy; SEATTLE -- The Rebels lost the battle of hearts and minds Wednesday, and the result was their second straight 13-point road defeat.

Woman pleads guilty in cell phone case: Kim Smith; A Henderson woman entered a plea agreement Wednesday in what may be the first case nationally where cell phone use was blamed for a deadly crash.

Some want PurchasePro CEO to buy more stock: An individual investor from Texas, together with other investors, has submitted the proposal to the Las Vegas-based company, the Wall Street Journal reported today. If it is accepted by the company, PurchasePro investors would vote on the proposal at the company's annual meeting Dec. 10.

Enron once had big plans in Nevada: Nevada was once in Enron Corp.'s plans to sell power and gas in newly deregulated markets.

Little hope offered for laid-off LV workers: David Strow; The pain of tens of thousands of "displaced workers" throughout the Las Vegas Valley continues, more than two months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks cooled Southern Nevada's red-hot economy.

Discipline hearing set for Mosley: CARSON CITY -- The long-delayed hearing into whether District Judge Donald Mosley of Las Vegas should be disciplined for allegedly handing out judicial favors has been set for Feb. 25 in Las Vegas.

LV gaming firm sues insurers: Grace Leong; Gaming equipment maker Paul-Son Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas sued to force its insurance companies AIG Technical Services Inc. and National Union Fire Insurance Co. to indemnify the company against a lawsuit filed by a former executive.

Investors agitate, PurchasePro CEO to buy more stock: An individual investor from Texas, together with other investors, has submitted the proposal to the Las Vegas-based company, the Wall Street Journal reported. If it is accepted by the company, PurchasePro investors would vote on the proposal at the company's annual meeting Dec. 10.

County may battle power hike: Adrienne Packer; Clark County commissioners on Tuesday will consider submitting a request to intervene with Nevada Power Co.'s rate hike proposal, a move that would allow county staff members to be involved in upcoming hearings.

Legislators criticize agency for management of funds: CARSON CITY -- The state Division of Emergency Management is in hot water with top legislators for its failure to develop regulations governing emergency relief fund spending.

Jailed Philippine official vows to fight extradition: Keith Paul; A friend and adviser of ousted Philippines President Joseph Estrada, who is currently being tried on charges of plundering cash from the island nation, is in a local jail this morning vowing to fight extradition and saying that his life may be in danger if he is returned home.

Nevada court rules escrow agents must disclose fraud: CARSON CITY -- In a victory for consumers, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that escrow agents have a duty to disclose fraud if they are aware of it in a property transaction.

VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO: VEGAS SPORTS ON TV-RADIO

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Winter tips for boaters: Paula DelGiudice; The dip in temperature in Southern Nevada means it is time to take care of "winterizing" our boats and approach the outdoors with more preparation than in warmer times.

Gamez, Armour fire 69s: Gamez, Armour fire 69s

Prep football pick: LV should find success in battle of the best: Spencer Patterson; My slow postseason start has been all but forgotten amidst the simple perfection of back-to-back 2-0 weeks. After 13 weeks and 122 games, game No. 123 looms large not only for the Wildcats and Lancers, but also for me as I try to finish above the .750 mark.

Former Rebel Scott leads Hong Kong Open: Scott, a 21-year-old second-year pro who spent a year at UNLV, collected seven birdies, one eagle and two bogeys.

Box Score: UNLV-Washington: Percentages: FG .387, FT .632, 3P .364.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: The past haunts UNLV: Back in 1995, my wife and I were hanging out at a gigantic block party in downtown Indianapolis the night before the Indy 500, debating how the rest of the nation viewed UNLV. In that you could see the main entrance of the Hoosier Dome (site of the invincible Rebels' stunning Final Four defeat to Duke four years earlier) from where we were standing, it seemed the ideal place to discuss the merits -- or lack thereof -- of that bastion of higher learning on Maryland Parkway.

Unimposing spark plug: Spencer Patterson; Pass Chad Pool on the street and you'd likely never guess he's the starting inside linebacker for a team playing in this week's state title football game.

News briefs for November 29, 2001: A woman whose 2-year-old daughter died from child abuse was given five years' probation Wednesday for felony child neglect and will be deported to Mexico, officials said.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Falling temperatures aid anglers: Shore anglers at Lake Mead have some cause for optimism as dropping water temperatures appear to be bringing striped bass closer to shore, where they are feeding on threadfin shad.

NFL injury report: PHILADELPHIA AT KANSAS CITY -- Eagles: OUT: TE Jeff Thomason (knee). DOUBTFUL: DE Brandon Whiting (hamstring). PROBABLE: TE Mike Bartrum (shoulder); OLB Mike Caldwell (calf); FS Rashard Cook (shoulder); WR Dameane Douglas (quadricep); TE Chad Lewis (quadricep/knee); FB Cecil Martin (hamstring); WR Freddie Mitchell (shoulder); DT Corey Simon knee); CB Troy Vincent (arm). Chiefs: OUT: T Victor Riley (ankle). DOUBTFUL: G Donald Willis (calf). QUESTIONABLE: DT Nate Hobgood-Chittic (ankle); WR Marvin Minnis (ankle); OLB Gary Stills groin); WR Chris Thomas (ankle). PROBABLE: CB Ray Crockett (groin); WR Larry Parker (thigh).

Wednesday's prep results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Perkins calls for anti-terror legislation: Erin Neff; President Bush has told Americans to have patience with the war on terrorism because nobody can tell when the scourge will be eradicated.

Title game set for live television: The title game will be aired on KFBT Gold 33/Cable 6 in Southern Nevada, and on KAME UPN 21 in the northern part of the state. Kickoff is slated for 12:07 p.m.

Candidate wants new bingo operation shut down: But a tribal leader said the machines are similar to those used for years at an Indian bingo parlor near Atmore, and he described the calls for state and federal investigations as a political stunt.

Letter: Anti-Yucca efforts working: The DOE is now doing what Gov. Kenny Guinn requested two months ago.

Desert Storm vet ready to prove himself: Dean Juipe; Willie Stewart has no shortage of catchy storylines.

State Champions: 1977: Chaparral

Tarwater takes over as assistant city manager: Mathis Winkler; By next Monday, Dan Tarwater will be juggling two jobs.

Letter: FBI is getting the job done in Northern Nevada: On Oct. 10 the FBI was notified of the suspicious letter. Agents responded and assessed the situation. The letter contained no anthrax threat, no foreign substances, and did not merit laboratory testing. Only out of an abundance of caution was the letter tested and later found to be negative for the presence of anthrax.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Goofi hopes new name, new trainer pay off: Dean Juipe; In spite of his 23-1 record, Lance Whitaker was never an especially impressive member of the heavyweight division.

Obituaries for November 29, 2001: Alfred Thomas Burton, 88, of Pahrump died Nov. 19 in Pahrump. He was born Jan. 21, 1913, in London, Ontario. A resident of Las Vegas for 12 years and most recently a Pahrump resident for 10 years, he was a marine engineer at Matson Navigation Co. for 35 years and a veteran of the Merchant Marines and the Navy.

Statistical Leaders: Rushing

Operators of newest Texas casino ship look to survive in treacherous industry: The Texas Treasure II casino boat is making daily trips from Freeport, about 60 miles south of Houston. The 400-foot boat has more than 300 slot machines and offers other games including blackjack, roulette and poker.

Saturday's Lineups: Las Vegas High offense

Slaying suspect is returned after 18 months on the run: Keith Paul; Two detectives flew to Florida Wednesday to bring back a Henderson killing suspect caught last week after using an inheritance to fund his 18 months on the run.

Observers predict slot machines will come to state: Montgomery County developer William Rickman Jr. was given approval by the Maryland Racing Commission Tuesday to open a track near Little Orleans, in Allegany County. Rickman also owns Delaware Park in Wilmington, where slots have been a big success.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Fadi -- Solis scales Dutton trainee, draws good spot for sprint opener, tag diploma at hand. Don't Holler -- Delahoussaye atop Stute trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip for best chance at graduation, Holler may be loudest of all. Value Play -- Majesterical